Restraining device for small animals



June 6, 1961 s. ROTHBERG RESTRAINING DEVICE FOR SMALL ANIMALS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1958 INVENTOR. Sidney Rofhberg BY g 2 ATTQRNEY June 6, 1961 s. ROTHBERG 2,987,042

RESTRAINING DEVICE FOR SMALL ANIMALS Filed Dec. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet2 IN V EN TOR. Sidney Rofhberg AT TORNE Y United States Patent 2,987,042RESTRAINING DEVICE FOR SMALL ANIMALS Sidney Rothberg, 5508 Elderon Ave.,Baltimore '15, Md. Filed Dec. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 779,504 4 Claims. (Cl.119103) (Granted under Title '35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) Theinvention herein described may be manufactured and used by or for theGovernment of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention is directed to a restraining device for animals,particularly small animals, which permits them to be immobilized forlong periods of time with a minimum of discomfort. I

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the restraining device having a cut-awayportion to show the tray assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drawer-like tray.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a basket for use in the drawer of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the restraining device showing theanimal in its normal restrained position.

In conducting certain biological experiments it is necessary to restrainanimals for long periods of time, e.g., 24 hours. The conventional flatrestraining board has been found to cause considerable discomfort to theanimals when used for these extended periods. Moreover, it frequentlygives insuflicient immobilization. In addition to humanitarianconsiderations, it is undesirable that the animals experience unduediscomfort because their reaction thereto frequent-ly producesundesirable results from an experimental standpoint. The struggles ofthe animal sometimes cause displacement of material ap plied to the skinand the stress of uncomfortable restraint may produce undesiredbiological reactions.

My device greatly reduces the discomfort of the animal by causing it tooccupy a more natural position during restraint. Furthermore it producesvery effective immobilization.

Basically, the device is a hollow structure having an upper relativelynarrow main supporting surface. This supporting surface is generallyhorizontal but is preferably slightly concave to fit the convex ventralsurface of the animal, which is placed in a natural straddling position.A secondary supporting surface is extended downwardly and outwardly fromeach edge of the upper supporting surface to contact the upper portionof the animals legs.

Finally, on each side, vertical members extend downwardly from thesloping surface and are secured to a base member. Straps are fastened tothe base member to engage the feet of the animal while a yoke on theupper supporting surface receives the neck and restrains the head.

As illustrated, my device which is basically constructed of wood, thoughother material may be used, has an upper relatively narrow mainsupporting member 1. This supporting member 1 has in the posteriorportion a long rectangular opening 2. The upper surface 3 of this member1 is generally horizontal but preferably slightly concave to fit aconvex ventral surface of the animal, which is placed in a naturalstraddling position as shown in FIG. 1. Secondary sloping supportingmembers 5 2,987,042 Patented June 6, 1961 are extended downwardly andoutwardly from each edge of the upper supporting member 1. Finally oneach side, vertical members 7, which extend downwardly from the slopingmembers 5 and are secured to a base member 9, complete the mainstructure of the invention.

Clips 11 fastened to the base member 9 and eye hooks 1.3 affixed to thevertical members 7 are provided to engage straps 15 for holding the feetof the animal. The yoke plate 17, generally made of sheet metal, isfastened on the front and upper surface of the supporting member 1,serving as a guard, while a metal yoke 19 going through the yoke plate17 and the upper supporting member 1, and held on with a nut fastener(not shown) receives the neck of the animal. The yoke 19 has a cross bar18 which is slidably adjustable on the yoke and is held in place by theknurled set screw 20.

A tray in form of a drawer 21 which receives excreta and slides in adrawer-like fashion beneath the opening 2 is fastened to the base member9 with a friction type of restraining clip 23, while a stainless steelscreen basket 24 is placed in the drawer 21 to separate urine from thefeces.

As previously stated, the animal, occupying the position shown in FIG.1, can be restrained for long periods without apparent discomfort.

While I have shown one embodiment of my invention it will be understoodthat various changes can be made. I therefore desire that the inventionbe limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for restraining animals comprising a base member, a supporthaving a relatively narrow, generally horizontal, upper surface andsecondary members extending downwardly and outwardly from said uppersupporting surface, said supporting member being mounted on said basemember by means of vertical side members, neck supporting means on saidupper surface and means on said base member adapted to receive andrestrain each of the legs of said animal positioned on said support.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the neck of supporting meanscomprises a yoke.

3. A device for restraining animals comprising of a hollow structureincluding a top member having a relatively narrow, elongated, generallyhorizontal, but slightly concave, upper supporting surface, two slopingmembers extending downwardly and outwardly from each side of said topmember, two vertical side members, extending downwardly from saidsloping members and a base member, said structure being so proportionedas to support the animal in a straddling position, a yoke on said topmember adapted to receive and restrain the neck of the animal, andrestraining means on said base member adapted to receive and restraineach of the legs of a said animal.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said top member has anelongated opening and further comprising, within said hollow structure,a removable tray positioned beneath said opening to receive excreta.

Ferguson Sept. 8, 1931 Packchanian Apr. 7, 1942

